Vegetable dicing, slicing, and shredding machine



April 4, 1939. 5 J BELL 2,153,407

VEGETABLE DICING. SLICTNG. AND SHREDDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 20, 1936' 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 llllllllllll INVENTOR,

Jar/meld flail,

ATTORNEY.

April 4, 1939. 5 J BELL I 2,153,407

VEGETABLE DICING, SLICING, AND SHREDDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 20, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 rim 2 5 1 A 9 f [5 j/ w ATTORNEY.

s. J. BELL 2,153,407

VEGETABLE DIGING, SLICING. AND SHREDDING MACHINE April 4, 1939..

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 20, 1936 INVENTOR, Jamaal J flll, I

ATTORNEY.

S. J. BELL April 4, 1939.

VEGETABLE DICING, SLICING. AND SHREDDING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 20, 1936 INVENTOI; g7 Jamaal J flaZZ,

Patented Apr. 4, 1939 UNITED STATES VEGETABLE DICING, SLICING, AND SHRED- DING MACHINE Samuel J. Bell, Springfield, Mass., assignor to Arthur S. Hall, Springfield, Mass.

Application October 20, 1936, Serial No. 106,604

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in vegetable dicing, slicing, and shredding machines.

An object of this invention is to provide, in a vegetable dicing, slicing, and shredding machine,

5 a removable die or punch block and a plurality of removable and interchangeable knife frames.

A further object of this invention is to provide, in a machine of the class described, interchangeable knife frames, each of which is equipped with 10 a plurality of spaced, intersecting knife blades arranged in the same plane and in a distinctive pattern.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in such a machine, a die or punch block adjust- 5. ablysupported in a movable frame, a knife frame freely supported in a stationary table or base, and means for moving the die block into engagement with the knives in the knife frame.

A still further object of this invention is to 20 provide, in a vegetable dicing, slicing, and shredding machine, a knife frame, a die block movably supported above the knife frame, means for moving the die block downwardly toward the knife frame, a secondary block removably secured on 5 the die block and having a smooth under surface,

and stop means for limiting the downward movement of the die block, whereby the. secondary block. may be brought into close proximity to the knife blades but will be prevented by the stop means from actual engagement with the knife blades.

These, and other objects and advantages of this invention, will be more completely described and disclosed in the following specification, the ac- 35 companying drawings, and the appended claims.

Broadly, this invention comprises a table or base member provided with a well, leg members supporting the table, a plurality of knife frames having knife blades therein, the knife blades in 40 each frame being arranged-in a distinctive pattern relative to the other frames, means for freely supporting any one of the frames in the well in the. table, a die frame movably supported above the table for vertical movement relative to the 45 table, means for moving the die frame, a die block removably supported and adjustable in the die frame, the die block being provided with a plurality of punches arranged to cooperate with any of the knife blade patterns in the interchangeable 50 knife frames, a secondary die block having a smooth under surface removably secured on the under surface of the punches, and stop means for regulating the movement of the die frame and die blocks.

55 A preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a front elevational View of the machine,

Fig. 2 is a side view,

Fig. 3 is an underside plan. of the die frame and block, taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a part of the punch portion of the die block,

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but indicating a different arrangement of parts,

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the table with one of the knife frames in place taken on the line l--l of Fig. 1,

Fig. 8 is a partial underside view of a knife frame,

Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the construction of the knife frames,

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 8, illustrating a different arrangement of the knife blades,

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 8 and Fig. 10, illustrating another arrangement of knife blades,

Fig. 12 is a partial sectional view of the die 2 block,

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the secondary die block,

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a cleaning rake for cleaning the slots between the punches,

Figs. 15-21 inclusive are diagrammatic views illustrating possible shapes which may be cut on this machine.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout:

A table or base member I is supported on leg members 2, which may be provided with casters 3 to facilitate movement of the machine. The leg members 2 are braced by means of tie rods 40 4, 5, and 6, and a spacer bar 1. Posts 8 secured in the table I slidably support a die frame 9, which is provided with bushings to slidably engaged on the posts 8. A cap plate I! secured on the top of the posts 8 by means of cap screws [2, serves as a spacer for the top of the posts 8 and also as a cover for the die frame 9 in its normal raised position. Link members l3 secured on either side of the die frame 9 at one end, and at the opposite end to a transverse shaft l4, move through slots l5 formed in the table I. A shaft I4 is connected by means of a chain Hi to a foot pedal I! which is pivotally supported at l8 on the bar I. Tension springs l9, secured at one end on the shaft l4, and at the opposite end'on the underside of the table I, serve to normally hold the die frame 9 in its raised position as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. Downward movement of the pedal I! will, through cooperation of the pedal I1, chain |5, shaft I4, and link members l3, move the die frame 9 downwardly toward the table The die frame 9 is formed with a centrally disposed opening 20, in which a die block 2| is removably and adjustably supported.

The die block 2| is provided at one side 22 with pins or studs 23 which are engaged in sockets 24 formed in the frame 9. The opposite side 25 of the die block 2| is provided with slots 26 in which may be engaged clamping screws 2?. Thus, the die block 2| is supported in the die frame 2 by cooperation of the studs 23, sockets 24, screws 22', and slots 26. Adjusting screws 23 in the die frame 9 provide means for adjustably locating the die block 2| in the opening 23. The die block 2| is formed with a well 29, which, in cooperation with the cover provides a convenient compartment for the storage of tools or other accessories. The bottom surface of the die block 2| is divided by intersecting slots 39 into a plurality of punches 3! which are uniform in size and shape.

A secondary block 32, having a smooth under surface 33 is removably supported on the underside of the punches 3| by means of studs 3% which project upwardly through openings 3| in the die block 2|, and are engaged by pins 3'5 secured in the well 29. Removal of the pins 36 from the studs 34 will permit the block 32 to be removed from the die block 2|.

The table is provided with a central opening 31, in which any one of a plurality of interchangeable knife frames 38, 39, and 40 may be freely supported, resting on shelf plates 4| secured on the underside of the table 1. The frames 38, 39, and 40 are provided with an outwardly ex tending stud 42 which is engaged in a slot 43 formed in the table I. Stud 42, cooperating with the slot 43 serves to locate the frame 38, 39, or 40 in proper relation to the die block 2!. The construction of the knife frames 38, 39, and 4D is the same except for the spacing of the knife blades. The knife frames are provided with slots 44 extending upwardly from the under surface 45, and knife blades 46 and 4'! are pressed into the slots 44. As indicated in Fig. 9, the blades 45 are slotted on the lower half at 48, and the blades 41 are slotted on the upper half at 49, so that in assembling the blades 46 and 4] may be asse 1-- bled in intersecting relation with all of the blades in the same plane. After the knife blades are assembled in the frame, the assembled frame is dipped in a solder bath which provides a solid unitary. structure with the blades permanently fixed to each other and to the frame. Figs. 8, l0, and 11 illustrate the adaptability of this construction to variable patterns and shapes. In Fig. 8, the blades 46 and 4? are arranged to provide small square openings 50, each of which is adapted to receive one of the punches 3| as indicated by dotted lines. blades 46 and 41 are arranged to provide longitudinal slots 5|, each of which is of a proper size to receive a plurality of the punches 3! in single line. In Fig. 11, the blades 43 and 4? are arranged to provide square openings 52 which are of a size and shape to receive four of the punches 3|, It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, from the examples illustrated, that many varieties and shapes of openings in theknife frames 38, 35, and 40 may be provided by spacing the knife blades 46 and 41 in multiples In Fig. 10, the knife I of the unit punch 3| in either direction; and that the die block 2| will cooperate with any such arrangement. I have therefore provided a construction in which a single die block may be used in cooperation with interchangeable knife frames, providing a variety of shapes and sizes of openings. The slots 3!! between the punches 3| are sufficiently wide to allow for a slight variation in the position of the knife blades 45 and 4i, thereby permitting for a free support of the knife frame in the opening 31 of the table This adaptability permits the knife frames 38, 39, or id to be dropped into place and lifted out without manipulation of any clamping screws, bolts, or fastening means. The ends 3| of the punches 3| are slightly beveled with a three-cornered file 53 to provide a lead for entering the spaces between the knife blades.

An important feature of this invention is the construction of the knife frames. It is necessary to the efiicient operation of the machine that the knife blades be assembled in the frames straight and true, without buckling or warping, and that they remain in this condition after assembly and during the working life of the knife frame, To accomplish this object, I make the knife frame of bronze, which expands much more slowly under heat than steel. The blades are made of hardened steel. The blades 46 and 41 are assembled in the slots 44 in the frame 38, and light-,

ly held in place by prickpunching along the side of the slots 44, as indicated at 55 in Fig. 9. When the assembled frame is dipped in a hot solder bath, the blades expand much more rapidly than the frame, resulting in an outward crawl of the ends of the blades in the slots 44. In this expanded condition, the blades are fixed in the frames by setting of the solder, and when the blades cool, a tensional stress is set up within the blades which keeps them taut and straight.

As indicated in Figs. 5, 6 and 9, the plane of the cutting edges 45' of the blades 46 and 4'! is recessed below the top or upper surface 38' of the knife frame. This construction provides a recess or well for confining the materials placed on the knife blades. It also provides protection for the cutting edges of the knife blades, and prevents accidental marring or dulling of the blades by an object laid or tossed onto the table This construction also provides protection to an operator by preventing, to a large extent, accidental cutting of the fingers, or hands by contact with the cutting edges of the blades, as it is difiicult and requires an unnatural movement to drop the fingers or hands into the space between the top of the table and the plane of the cutting edges of the knife blades during the operation of push ing or placing material on the knife blades.

The .plate 54, supported on the tie rods 5, provides a support for materials 55 which may be pushed through the knives 45 and 41 by the block 32 or punches 3|.

The grooves 30, between the punches 3|, may be cleaned with the use of a rake 5B, which comprises a bar 51 provided with a plurality of pins or pegs 5B, spaced to register with the grooves 30. A strip 59, secured on the bar 5?, acts as a guide to maintain the pins 58 in proper alignment with the grooves 30.

Figs. 15 to 21 inclusive illustrate, in a diagrammatic way, typical shapes which may be formed on this machine. Fig. 15 illustrates a unit of material 613, as it would appear after being pushed through the knives in the frame 38. This unit 69 has a square end 69 derived from an opening 59.

By;forcingmaterialthroughzthe kniveszillustrat'edi in Fig. I0.,',unit's 61', having the approximate shape shown. in Fig.2.16; are. formed, the. end. 62 of the unit 6| having a ShaPECOI'TCSPOHdiHgitO an:open:- ingifiisinthet frame-139.: The. figure, or: shape, illustratedzin2Fig.-;. 1'7.,.isthe pro'duct'of the construction illustrated. inFig; 1 1.. A. unit 63 is. formed having an end: 6 shaped.- by. the" openings 52, which is' fourtimesthe area of the endififl of the pieceiiii... Fig;.185illustrates a. unit fifiwhich'is the product of. two operations; first, forming'units 6| by using'the'framev 39, then cutting. the units 6| intoiunits 65; by substituting. the frame. 40 for the frame- 39-; and. laying the units Bl flat. onthe knives in. the frame. This unit65. has a thicknessiequalto the thickness of. theunit 6 l, and an endequa'l; to the. end.64 of. the unit. 63.- Fig; 19 illustratesa unit. 66 which is. the. product of two. operations.- involving." the frame 40 first and. the frame.38:second;. The. unit 63, after being-formed from. the; frame 4B,;is placedon the frame 3.8; resultin'g iin; the: unit 6S6: which. has: a length equal to a. sideof. an: opening 52: in the. frame 4d and. an endxequal' in size to. an opening" 50 in the frame- 2'5 38; Fig. illustrates aunit developed-from the unit 6|, laid on the knives in the frame 38. This unit; 61' is a cubehaving sides equal to an opening 50 in the frame 38. Fig. 21 illustrates a unit 68 which is the result of a. double operation on the frame 40. Units 63 are first formed on the frame 40, then, these units are again laid flat on the frame and cut into the cubesshcwn in Fig. 21. From these examples, it will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art that a great many separate shapes and sizes of units may be produced on this machine with the use of a very few interchangeable knife frames. Whereas, I have i1- lustrated in Figs. 13 to 21 inclusive the products of this machine as being solid shapes, it must be understood that other results may be the natural product of operation, due to the nature of the material operated upon. For instance, in the case of laminated, or leafy vegetables, such as onions or cabbage, the units forced through the knives will fall apart into other shapes, due to their laminated structure. Advantage of this natural tendency may be taken by, for example, either shredding or dicing an onion on the same set of knives, depending upon the position in which the article is placed on the knives. If the onion is placed on the knives with its natural axis-in a vertical position, the onion will be shredded. If halved on its natural axis and placed on the knives with its halved surfaces on the knives, the onion will be diced, as the units forced through the knives will fall apart, due to their laminated structure.

For continuous operation, I prefer to use the secondary block 32, as each downward movement of the block 32 will force material through the knives, without bringing any part of the machine into contact with, or close proximity to the knives. With the block 32 in operating position, stop members 69, removably secured on the die frame 9, engage the top of the table I to prevent the block 32 from touching the knives 46 and 47, as illustrated in Fig. 6. The use of the block 32 also prevents contact of the punches 3! with the material being forced through the knives, and thereby keeps the die block 2| and punches 3| clean, and prevents clogging of the grooves 30. This use of a plain surfaced block, such as the block 32, adds materially to the production time of the machine, as no time is required for cleaning the block 2 I. When a batch of: material? hasv been. run through; the; machine; the: knives; maybeeclearedi by: removing the block? 32: andstops= 69 then: one operation of: the peda 1 FL will. force: the punches: 3|; through the: openingsx between the. knives;.thus clearing: the knives? Whereas; I have described this machines and its. operation; as being applied. to vegetables, it

is equally adaptable in; the processing of fruits,"

and. other materials. Various; stoneless fruits, and. also: fruits which. have had. the stones removed; have been prepared. on this. machine for fruit; cocktails, shortcakes, and. other purposes The machine isv also: efiicientv in the. preparation. ofbutterpatsin the shape illustrated in Fig. 18.. An advantage: ofi'theuseof this machine inthe preparation of. butter patsr is the uniform size and bulkzof the pat, providing: an equal distribution to those served, and: an accurate predetermination. of the. number served-from a pound... or. otherunit: of: butter.

Thus,. I have: provided,.in this invention,v a vegetable slicing, dicing, and shredding machine incorporating an adjustable and removable die block having a plurality of punches, interchangeable knife frames aifording a variety of patterns and cooperating with the single die block, and a secondary die block having a smooth surface and capable of cooperation with the first block and with the interchangeable knife frames.

What I claim is:

1. In a vegetable slicing, dicing, and shredding machine, a table provided with a rectangular opening, shelf members secured on the under side of said table and projecting into said opening, a knife frame freely supported in said opening and slidably supported on said shelf members to permit limited movement during operation of the machine, legs supporting said table, a platform supported on said legs below said table for receiving material forced through said knife frames, posts vertically supported on said table, a die frame, bushings in said die frame and projecting below said die frame, said bushings being slidably engaged on said posts, means for moving said die frame downwardly toward said table, means for normally supporting said die frame in a raised position above said table, a spacer plate secured on the top of said posts, a die block removably and adjustably supported in said die frame, a plurality of punch elements projecting downwardly on said die block, said knife frame being provided with a plurality of spaced, intersecting knife blades permanently fixed therein and having their cutting edges in one plane, the plane of said cutting edges being positioned below the upper surface of said table, said knife blades being spaced to provide openings which will register with one or more of said punch elements, said bushings serving as stops to prevent engagement of said die frame with the cutting edges of said knives.

2. In a machine of the character described, a movable die frame, said die frame being provided with an opening, a die block, said die frame being formed. with a slot communicating with said opening, a stud in said die block removably engaged in said slot, a clamping screw in said die frame in opposed relation to said slot, said die block being formed with a slot in which said clamping screw is removably engaged, whereby said die block is removably supported in thevopening in said die frame by cooperation of the stud and slot in the die block with the slot and clamping screw in the die frame respectively.

of said opening, a die frame movably supported above said table, means for moving said frame, a die block removably and adjustably supported in said die frame and provided with a plurality of punches spaced to register with the openings between the blades of said cutting frame, stop means on said die frame whereby said die block a is stopped short of engagement with the cutting edges of said blades when the punches have passed through the cutting frame, a second die block having a smooth under surface, means for removably supporting said second block against the working faces of said punches, and stop means remcvably secured on said die frame and cooperating with said table for stopping said second die block short of engagement with the cutting edges of said blades.

4. In a vegetable cutting machine, a table provided with an opening, a cutting frame having a plurality of spaced and intersecting knives fixedly secured therein with their cutting edges in the same plane, said cutting frame being loosely and slidably supported in the opening in the table with the cutting edges of the knives recessed below the top of the table, a frame member slidably supported above the opening in the table for vertical movement relative thereto, a block formed with spaced and intersecting slots in its under surface registering with the knives in said cutting frame, said block being removably and adjustably supported in said frame member, said grooves forming a plurality of punch elements on said block, the edges of said punches being chamfered, said grooves being relatively wider than the thickness of the knives. whereby the chamfered edges of the punches and the grooves cooperate to compensate for movement of the cutting frame in the opening in the table.

SAMUEL J. BELL. 

